“We started getting the warning signs because there had been elephant poaching incidents in the Mozambique side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park,” Macleod said.

Her article quotes one Mozambican conservationist as saying, “We are losing elephants at the rate of three to four a day in Niassa [Reserve, on the border with Tanzania] and all the tuskers are gone. Now the poachers are heading south to smaller reserves in Mozambique and to the Limpopo and Kruger national parks.”

A 2012 census found about 16,900 elephants in Kruger.

Uphill Fight

On April 17, Mozambique and South Africa signed an accord in Kruger to combat rhino poaching. Although Mozambique is working harder to manage the situation, Macleod says South Africa’s inability to prevent the incursions has led to despondency.

“The military is now trying to prevent poaching, but they are overwhelmed. The rhino poaching its just getting worse every year,“ Macleod said. “The general perception in South Africa is that they don’t see an end in sight.”

Some 400 armed rangers patrol Kruger, whose border with Mozambique extends about 280 miles. Thakhuli said that South African National Defense Force (SANDF) patrols the border, working in tandem with the park rangers.

When asked what the park’s response will be now that the first elephant has been poached in a decade, Thakhuli said that beyond being able to explain that the strategy in Kruger is “holistic,” he can’t provide specifics.

“The poachers pay attention. They get information. They are listening to the radio. They are watching television. So it is difficult for me to explicitly give you information. These poachers are very sophisticated.”

“We are saddened by this latest incident but are confident that the dedication and efforts of our rangers and our partners in the security sector will eventually prevail over this malady,” said Abe Sibiya, the acting head of SANParks.

There have been no arrests so far.

Mountain Bull during his prime. The famous elephant was one of northern Kenya’s most recognizable animals and has captured the imagination of many. (Photograph courtesy Lewa Wildlife Conservancy)

Meanwhile in Northern Kenya…

Conservationists in Kenya are mourning the death of an iconic elephant known as Mountain Bull.

According to a release by Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, “No other animal has had greater impact on wildlife conservation in northern Kenya than Mountain Bull.”

Mountain Bull’s dead body was found on the afternoon of May 15. The carcass had spear wounds, and the tusks were missing. It’s believed that Mountain Bull had been poached eight days before.

The Lewa release notes that Mountain Bull was “the enigmatic elephant whose dedication to using the traditional elephant migration routes in northern Kenya… led to numerous conservation initiatives.”

One of those initiatives was the “pioneering” Lewa/Ngare Ndare Forest/Mount Kenya elephant corridor, a travel route between the forests of Mount Kenya and the savannas of Lewa and Samburu plains. This corridor has opened up the traditional migration route for more than 2,000 African elephants that had previously been blocked by human development in the Mount Kenya forest.

The 46-year-old elephant had been fitted with a GPS-GSM collar by Save the Elephants, but a few days ago, Lewa’s cofounder, Ian Craig, noticed that the elephant had not moved from his last reported position at Mount Kenya.

This raised urgent concern, and Lewa and the Mount Kenya Trust launched the a search, which ended with the tragic discovery.

Many have been affected by Mountain Bull’s death.

“Mountain Bull’s death is a great loss to the conservation fraternity,” Lewa’s CEO, Mike Watson, said. “He…left many inspired by his bravery and resilience.”

“Mountain Bull is a legend and a champion for his species,” said the natural history filmmaker Sir David Attenborough. “It is a tragedy he had to die out of man’s greed.”

Comments

J

July 20, 2014, 2:39 pm

There should be a worldwide effort via video/internet and newspaper ad campaigns asking everyone to boycott these wildlife consumer countries — China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, etc. — I mean boycott travel there and the purchase of all their products wherever one happens to be. Put up pictures of these defaced and otherwise brutalized animals, show time to extinction at current death rates, whatever it takes. Satao was also a magnificent creature and the brutal death and mutilation of that aged bull would enrage any thoughtful person. Today this wildlife slaughter is increasingly supporting the drug trade, rebel fighters, and terrorist organizations among other dangerous, well funded groups. They have high tech and high power defenses and killing machines. It’s all about the money so show these wildlife consumer governments that the huge number of people alarmed about this ongoing decimation have a large voice and substantial economic power. Demand that these blood purchases and all trade of protected wildlife be halted in the above mentioned countries and all others whose governments refuse to end the purchase and/or sale of protected species.

deborah russo

united states

June 21, 2014, 9:20 am

We are always sending our military to other countrys why not send them to africa to stop poachers. Man destroys all that is beautiful we cant allow greed to destroy these magnificent animals who have the right to live a life in peace. The next cities meeting isnt until 2016 it needs to be now by then it will be to late. I despise the people who do this there the ones who deserve to die. Ivory needs to be banned forever.

Kathy Calathos

May 27, 2014, 3:24 pm

I say if the poachers are caught some serious penalties must be enforced.Execution would be fine with me.This kind of greed and corruption must be stopped at any price.We needto save our precious wildlife.

Samantha Tate

Memphis

May 22, 2014, 12:07 pm

I think for the first time ever, I agree with every comment. Poachers are just as guilty as anyone in these horrible mass murders of elephants and rhinos. I wish there was a way for people to volunteer their time to help in the fight for these animals. A Peace Corp if you will for the fight against poachers. Maybe if the sanctuary could infiltrate the border with more people, poachers would have a harder time sneaking in.

Coop

Lao PDR

May 22, 2014, 12:20 am

A total ban on ivory? That would work like having a ban on say illicit drugs, right? Saying it is illegal and fining people wont do anything if people have the resources such as cash. The people buying it arent going to listen to someone saying you cant have it. If anything, will make them want it more. Blaming poachers? It is like blaming coal workers for environmental damage. Look higher up chain, stop demand. If financial rewards are there, then there will be people risking everything to get it. The rewards are simply too good. Almost everyone has a dream of winning the lottery or getting fast cash, for majority of Africans, they have no other way except from this, this is how corruption in governments work, and for the poacher at the end of the line, they have few other options to strike it rich. For people living and growing up with these animals, they arent going to have the same emotional connection as Westerners do to them, they are simply an opportunity to strike it rich. Being able to feed yourself and kids today is more important than any animal. Put yourself in their shoes and have a think.

Coop

Lao PDR

May 22, 2014, 12:01 am

ER – “The incentive to kill it would be removed. ”
No, they still leave the same tracks, and when tracking an animal, if they see it has no ivory or horns, then they shoot it. Saves tracking a worthless (in economic values) animal again. Noone wins.

Lori

US

May 21, 2014, 7:25 pm

This is the most disgusting trade and sanctions should be placed against China/Vietnam as the Asians are idiots thinking the ivory cures cancer. If they would allow it, I would stake out with high powered machine guns and kill them dead on site. This is by far the most horrific abuse of animals ever and the Asians are killing our wildlife.. The poachers aren’t ignorant, it’s all about greed – not life.

Bob

UK

May 21, 2014, 3:42 pm

Why not set cameras to scan horizon and monitor approach of poachers. Otherwise, is it possible to permanently dye ivory? to make it unusable

Mohamed Salim

Rochdale -UK .

May 21, 2014, 2:15 pm

I do not think that the poachers reap full profits from the sale of the tusk taken out of the dead animals.It is the middle man who gets enormous profits .I now believe that the elephants are being butuchered with Spears,this proves killing is in the hands of a common man .The govt.should pass law death sentence convicted of these type of killings.

Wanda Carter

Virginia

May 21, 2014, 12:19 pm

This is so very sad for all of the elephants and rhinos. I don’t believe in the sale of ivory and I don’t understand why the Chinese would want them for medicinal purposes. They are also causing the extinction of tigers for medicinal purposes and their fur. Mans greed is the root of all of this evil. Do whatever is possible and needed to stop these poachers. I say kill them all, from the actual poacher all the way up to the buyers of these products. They are all beautiful animals and need to be protected at all costs.

Jerry

USA

May 21, 2014, 11:14 am

We are witnessing the Decemation and Extinction of the Elephants, Rhinos,and othe wildlife that poachers can make money off of DUE to CHINESE DEMAND of Body parts for their Idiotic unproven MEDICAL use of Body Parts and taste for Ivory.When will it END! RIP Mountain Bull you are a Martry for all WildLife.

Jason

United States

May 21, 2014, 10:55 am

When are these countries going to implement shoot to kill policies like Zambia has, for all of these pieces of garbage?! Their lack of respect for wildlife should in turn give them no right to live themselves. These scumbags deserve to be shot & left for dead!!

maria fernanda trindade

Aveiro Portugal

May 21, 2014, 10:37 am

Bad humans who have no respect for animal life …. JUSTICE was there to stop killers of animals …

Norman Sander

United Kingdom

May 21, 2014, 10:21 am

A bounty should be put on poachers heads at any level in the chain. The bounty should be paid to whoever takes them out (kills them). This would mean they have to be caught red handed or identified through intelligence. poachers should have no right to human or legal rights. If this is not done, all our wildlife will ultimately be killed.

nurul

May 21, 2014, 5:08 am

Perhaps the park should limit visitors and photographs that are being taken. When we post these pictures on social media, the poachers can use them to track the wildlife.
sad, but to fight the battle against greed, it is not easy. Plus, the fine the poachers have to pay is minimal compared to the amount they get from buyers. To them, it’s a risk worth taking.

Kathleen Holding

England

May 21, 2014, 2:20 am

I was worried that poaching would be the result when the Kruger was opened to create the larger park with Mozambique. I think the border should be closed again.

jose

south africa

May 20, 2014, 10:47 pm

It sickens me that the poachers are getting away with murdering n butchering elephants n rhino coz of greed

Gustavo Capanna

Argentina

May 20, 2014, 10:05 pm

On a continent where thousands die of hunger, disease and violence, it is hard to believe that these magnificent animals are safe from poachers mercenaries ..

Tom Petres

May 20, 2014, 8:17 pm

Edit** I meant 20 years or more in prison for the buyers of the ivory…..strictly death for those who actually carry it out or order it carried out.

Tom Petres

May 20, 2014, 8:16 pm

While I understand the depth of poverty and desperation of the poachers, I feel their penalty should still be death. Worse of all is that poaching is actually a highly sophisticated enterprise carried out by organized crime syndicates. They should trace these organizations to their heads and give death to the leaders. Also impose severe penalties such as 20 years+ in prison. With over 7 billion people on the planet these rare creatures are far more precious than a few thousand criminals, whether its human life or not, they are clearly worthless individuals.

Melanie

Belize

May 20, 2014, 7:35 pm

then we ask ourselves how come older civilizations became extinct? this is a perfect example. poachers will not stop until they have killed the last of every rare animal on earth.

PAULA DENMON

United States

May 20, 2014, 7:31 pm

Drones and boots on the ground…
Research and law enforcement…
Fighting corruption. ..
Take money.
Donate and urge your government to take conservation of the planet’s largest mammals seriously enough to spend money.

PAULA DENMON

United States

May 20, 2014, 7:24 pm

Everyone’s comments are right on. Every route to saving the Elephants must be put into play now. That means money. Donate what you can and make certain that your government knows that this is important to you. Hillary Clinton has stated that she is in favor of a ban on all trade of ivory and a worldwide effort to Stop Poaching.

Bill Edburg

United States

May 20, 2014, 6:45 pm

I think it is pathetic. We should be allowed to go over there in groups and hunt the poachers. Shoot on site like the cowards are doing to the helpless animals. I wouldn’t hesitate. Maybe Google can donate one of their drones for this.

Julian Cortes de la Hoz

Madrid

May 20, 2014, 4:55 pm

Death for poachers the people that hire them and those who buy the ivory.

Phil Rodriques

Jamaica

May 20, 2014, 4:33 pm

I’m baffled. The world now uses drone technology for even delivering goods bought online, why isn’t this technology being employed to protect wildlife. It covers far more ground than 400 rangers could ever cover.

nuno

Portugal

May 20, 2014, 3:52 pm

pena de Morte para esses Sacanas assassinos Já!

Justyna

Poland

May 20, 2014, 3:39 pm

There is so little wild animal, and so many bad people… I think we need more wild than bad, greedy ignorant. It should be treated as a very big crime to ALL peopole who are in this “industy”. From poor man whi killing animal to posh rich person who is buying ivory statue…

ER

US

May 20, 2014, 3:24 pm

There is the preventative of removing most of the tusk, while anesthetized, and lettting the elephant, rhino, or other tusked being, live. The incentive to kill it would be removed. Something to think about….

Alan

United States

May 20, 2014, 3:00 pm

Agressively start hunting poachers. Confiscate their weapons or traps, and if necessary, shoot them. It’s that simple.
I’ll bet poaching will decrease rapidly and will be difficult to recruit new poachers knowing the risks. It may not stop the demand which is the root of the problem, but it will be effective towards preserving the life of the animal kingdom.

Ricky Dewet

May 20, 2014, 2:56 pm

There should be a total bann worldwide on any ivory or tusks! If anyone would be in possesion of ivory, they have to be served with poachingfine! This is a tragedy TRAGEDY TRAGEDY! STOP ALL JEWELRY! Stop all ORNAMENTS!! MEAN THUGS! JAIL THEM, MURDERERS TO PUT A SMILE ON SOMEONES FACE???

Karyn Koop

Virginia

May 20, 2014, 2:01 pm

THANK YOU for this knowledge of information article n one elephant poached in 10 years is Great, but VERY SAD n disturbing this one elephant of 46 yrs.killed for ANY REASON!! The villagers need additional education n training to HELP the area law enforcement agents n maybe some sort of trade off or reward in place to let outside poachers know how the penalties will be severe if they are caught. I know WEB CAMS are great but not sure the area needed for surveillance/ Technology is so advanced n awesome now.

Sean Nolan

Ireland

May 20, 2014, 1:56 pm

I think it is time to look at the scale of slaughter over the past few months and ask QUESTIONS !
1. The degree of corruption that is allowing this to go undetected.
2. why there is not a total ban on all ivory sales.

VonnieSams

USA

May 20, 2014, 1:48 pm

These magnificent animals will meet extinction at the hands of greed and ignorance!

Jose Diaz

Guatemala city, Guatemala

May 20, 2014, 1:43 pm

What a shame to have this events still ocurring, even though it is prohibited, poachers are so ignorants about this because they just want to earn bad money that will evaporare on their hands !

Cher

Friday Harbor, WA

May 20, 2014, 11:39 am

Perhaps this is where our US military could help out? Help the Rangers find and stop the poachers. This is something that is effecting our planet… our lives… our environment… as a WHOLE. We should all come together to fight this… we, the world should fight it!!!

Jill Ashby

Erina, New South Wales, Australia

May 19, 2014, 8:44 pm

What an incredibly heartbreaking piece of news. The evil and ignorant poachers will have no idea what they have done.

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